New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson Orders State Resources to Assist Trigo Fire Response

State Forestry Division responding as fire threatens homes and property

April 20, 2008 -- SANTA FE- New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson late this afternoon directed all related state agencies to assist in ongoing federal firefighting efforts with the Trigo fire burning in the Manzano Mountains in Torrance County.

Trigo wildfire, New Mexico: Manzano Mountains in Torrance County. Photo by Kit_Z (CC)

The fire is burning primarily on federal land and firefighting efforts are being directed from the Southwest Fire Coordination Center in Albuquerque.

Today’s high winds hampered firefighting and fanned the flames allowing the fire to jump containment lines and move closer to populated areas. Evacuations are underway for residents in the communities of Manzano, Tejique, and Torreon. As many as 200 homes had been evacuated as of 7 p.m.

“The state is doing everything possible to assist those affected by the fire and evacuations,” said Governor Richardson. “I urge everyone in the fire zone to pay attention to officials and to be prepared to evacuate if necessary."

Tim Manning, Director of the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM), and Don Scott, bureau chief for the DHSEM Response and Recovery Division, are on site to monitor developments and dispatch state resources if needed. “We stand ready to provide whatever is needed to help the terrific teams already fighting this fire,” said Tim Manning.

There are currently 3 significant fires burning in New Mexico: the Trigo fire, the Pepper fire in the Lincoln National Forest, and the Center Peak Fire in Southwest New Mexico.

Source: New Mexico Governor

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